Parklands 2018 Prospectus

Parklands High School Learn Respect Aspire Achieve

Our Vision To develop the academic skills, intellectual habits, qualities of character and leadership traits necessary to succeed at all levels in society and become successful citizens in tomorrow’s world.

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Welcome to

Parklands High School LEARN, RESPECT, ASPIRE, ACHIEVE is our school motto, and I trust you will see our motto in action in this prospectus as well as on our school website.

We believe that every pupil counts, that every pupil deserves a nurturing environment where academic excellence goes hand in hand with the development of the character traits required in 21st Century Britain and beyond. I am truly proud of our school community and the positive impact we have on our local, national and global communities. We celebrate and respect diversity, ensuring our pupils acquire a deep understanding of current issues, so that they grow into mature young adults who will make a positive contribution to society. In partnership with parents and carers, we aim to ensure our pupils’ aspirations are fulfilled, having achieved examination results they can be proud of. There is so much more to Parklands – I hope you enjoy a voyage of discovery and unearth the heart and soul of our school.

Mr Mitchell, Headteacher

“ I wholeheartedly recommend Parklands to anyone and cannot thank this school enough for creating a safe and happy place for my children.”

Parent

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Support & Confidence We all learn best when we are supported and happy. Our highly effective House system provides pastoral care and support to develop confident, happy and successful young people.

“ My daughter has thrived since her very first day.�

Parent, Year 7

Our vertical tutoring system allows students to mentor and coach one another across the year groups; it also helps our newest students to settle into life at Parklands quickly and easily.

Nurturing

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House Achievement Leaders

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Form Tutors

Supportive Vertical Tutoring Structure

3 “I have always been supported and encouraged by all teachers at Parklands and they are more than willing to give guidance or advice on absolutely anything!

I couldn’t have wished for a better high school experience and I am so glad that I chose Parklands.”

Chloe, Year 11

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“I thought I would struggle to fit in at high school because I have ADHD and that makes a lot of aspects of school difficult for me. It has been the total opposite.

We are given new challenges and responsibilities right from Year 7. I am part of a team who give tours to visitors and this has really helped to build my confidence and my communication skills.�

Jacob, Year 7

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Challenge We pride ourselves on using imaginative and interactive learning to engage and inspire young minds.

Our specialist teachers combine academic rigour and a genuine passion for their subjects to provide innovative, enriching and challenging learning and to nurture and develop our students’ curiosity and creativity.

“ Our family has been a part of Parklands for the past nine years with two academic successes and a third child currently at the school.

The staff and the leadership team have always been very committed to make sure Parklands is the best it can be for our children to achieve the best they possibly can.�

Parent, Year 8

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Aspiration, Leadership & Success We take great pride in seeing our students flourish and succeed. Central to this is our strong focus on developing behaviours for learning and for success.

Our highly regarded Prefect team Senior Student Leadership Team play a hugely important role in developing themselves and their peers by acting as role models and leading projects in Teaching and Learning, Digital Technologies, Charity Work, Eco Work and Community Support.

“ Being a part of the SSLT has given me the confidence that I need to be a success beyond school.�

Student, Year 11

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“It was a great honour to have been given the role of Head Boy in my final year at Parklands.

The work has been challenging at times but the teachers have always given me the confidence to try my best. I know that Parklands has given me the best possible preparation for college and for the rest of my life.�

Tom, Year 11

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“Parklands is an amazing school. There is so much to get involved in and the teachers are so inspirational. I really enjoy the range of experiences that we are given outside of the usual lessons. Every year during Learning Challenge week, we complete a special project, from creating a huge artwork to renovating a car or creating a recycled clothing fashion show.

Every year I have learned a huge amount of new skills.�

Ella, Year 10

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Opportunity & Enrichment At the heart of our school is our true sense of community and teamwork. Much of this derives from the range of additional opportunities and experiences we provide for the students. “ My daughters have taken part in a range of school productions.

That feeling of being a part of something is very special, and the partnership between students and teachers is wonderful; they are all in it together.�

Parent

The curriculum provides full days focussed on social and emotional learning and to develop the students’ understanding of their roles as global citizens.

Enrichment is a cornerstone of our school. From our annual dance and drama productions, a plethora of team and individual sporting opportunities, astronomy club, reading and film club, cooking club to family learning in MFL, there really is something for everyone at Parklands.

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Success Stories Mrs Sawyer

“ My connection to Parklands stretches back generations. My Grandma attended Chorley Grammar School before it became Parklands. My brother Rob was Head Boy and now my daughter is a pupil.

My fond memories of attending Parklands are coupled with an appreciation of the incredible support I received. I struggled with reading and spelling and that support gave me the confidence I desperately needed to succeed.

With a diagnosis of Dyslexia, my daughter faces the same battles I once did, but I am confident and grateful that her learning journey will be as nurtured as mine was.

The traditions and values of the school have remained a constant as much has changed around them. I am proud to have been given the opportunity to return as a teacher and help Parklands continue to be an excellent place for kids to grow and learn. �

“Pupils leave not just with great exam results, but with the wisdom and confidence to become valuable members of society.”

Miss Piscirici “ I started at Parklands in 2005. I loved it from my first day, and immediately felt like I belonged to a true community. I have returned to Parklands now as a Maths Teacher and the ethos and vision of the school remains the same. My teachers inspired me and now I have the pleasure of inspiring a new generation. Some of those old teachers are now my colleagues, which took a little getting used to! Teaching at Parklands is a thoroughly rewarding experience and I love coming to work.

Every member of staff works to broaden pupils’ horizons and develop the whole child; I believe that it is this which sets us apart from other schools. We also have an excellent academic record. However, young people leave Parklands not just with great exam results, but also with the wisdom and confidence to become valuable members of society. ”

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“Members of staff regularly go above and beyond for the children in their care, producing excellent results and building fantastic relationships.”

Mr Cunningham

“ I can still remember walking through Astley Park on my way to start my first day at Parklands High School. I was nervous and a little bit frightened, but I soon discovered that I really didn’t need to be. From my first day in Year 7, Parklands has been a great place to be.

I felt that the teachers were engaged and knowledgeable. They inspired and supported me to be ambitious and ultimately successful.

The staff didn’t only encourage me to work hard and succeed academically; they also raised my aspirations and opened my eyes

to the possibilities that life offered. And when it was time to decide on my career?

It seemed only natural to come and work back here, supporting, developing and motivating other children in the same way that I was.

I certainly haven’t regretted that decision.

Since leaving Parklands in Year 11, I have never found a team like the one here - the staff regularly go above and beyond for the children, producing excellent results and building fantastic relationships. I feel lucky to be a part of it. “

13 Miss Greaves

“ It was always my goal to come back and work at Parklands. I was inspired by my PE teacher, who was my biggest fan and supporter. That teacher then became my boss. I hope that I can give that same support and encouragement back to community that I grew up in.

I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending this school to any parents looking for a supportive, inspirational and successful school for their children. We look after the whole pupil not just their exam results.

From my five years as a students here, I took away a good set of results but also, equally importantly, skills and qualities that set me up for my future career.

I really have gone full circle in going from pupil to staff member and I still enjoy school every bit as much as a teacher as I did as a child. “

Miss Crabtree

“ My Parklands story started in 2004, when I joined as a year 7. Parklands helped me to develop my social skills and the teachers, many of whom are still at Parklands today, encouraged my growth.

When I left Parklands I had grown in confidence and I felt fully prepared for the wider world and any struggles that I might face.

Fast forward 8 years and I am now a teacher at Parklands, where I teach in the same classroom that I learned in years ago. I am encouraged to thrive, given responsibility and advice, and feel fully supported. Parklands’ ethos is the reason I started teaching. I believe I can encourage and support pupils in achieving their goals and believing in themselves and their own abilities. The pupils are fantastic and make my job worthwhile. Parklands a fantastic place to be a student and to be a teacher. ”

Parklands High School Southport Road, Chorley PR7 1LL Telephone: 01257 264596 Email: admin@parklandsacademy.co.uk www.parklandsacademy.co.uk @ParklandsHigh

@ParklandsHighSchoolChorley